Minnie Driver

After unleashing her talents on screens and in music in her native England during the early 1990s, actress and singer-songwriter Minnie Driver came to the United States and found international acclaim...
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Actress Minnie Driver credits a wardrobe malfunction with inspiring her famous red carpet snap at her first Academy Awards in 1998 after her dress "fell off" right in front of the cameras. The Brit was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Good Will Hunting and headed to the prestigious Hollywood prizegiving in a floor-length ruby Halston gown with a plunging neckline, with a faux fur stole to complete to her glamorous look.
However, Driver admits she was very nearly caught half-naked after the seams of one of her sleeves came undone.
She recalls, "When you walked in, there were banks of photographers, but there was only one place that you stood for them to have a look at your dress.
"I got up there and I put my hand on my hip and my dress fell off and I... had this fake fur stole around my shoulders and I pulled it around and the picture that they took of me smiling, and with this stole around my shoulders, became quite a famous picture, and nobody knows that it was just my dress had fallen off, and probably if they had got (sic) a few frames before, you totally would have seen my boobs."
Driver isn't the only star to suffer a near-disaster on their first Oscars red carpet - Glenn Close briefly flashed her bra during her debut appearance at Hollywood's big night years ago.
She remembers, "I was in a beautiful Geoffrey Beene dress. It was strapless, with a gorgeous bolero. Somebody stepped on the train and the whole top flipped down, and so for a split second, the entire audience saw my exposed breasts."

Johnny Depp and his fiancee Amber Heard silenced speculation suggesting they are heading for a split by sharing an intimate kiss while attending a pre-Golden Globe Awards gala on Saturday (10Jan15). The Hollywood couple, which became engaged a year ago (Jan14), has been dogged by rumours its relationship is on the rocks for several weeks, but The Rum Diary co-stars were all smiles at the weekend as they walked the red carpet arm-in-arm at the Art of Elysium's Heaven Gala in Santa Monica, California and then took their public display of affection one step further by locking lips.
Depp escorted his wife-to-be to the ceremony, where she was honoured with the Spirit of Elysium award for her fundraising efforts with officials at the arts organisation, which helps to brighten up the lives of seriously ill kids.
Other guests at the charity bash included Joaquin Phoenix, Zach Braff, Tobey Maguire, Minnie Driver, Camilla Belle and burlesque star Dita Von Teese.

Actress Minnie Driver has joined the cast of the upcoming live Peter Pan U.S. TV special. The Good Will Hunting star will double up as the narrator and the adult Wendy Darling in the highly-anticipated event, which will air in December (14).
Driver is no stranger to musicals - she previously appeared in the 2004 big screen adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera, and also has a successful music career, recently releasing her third studio album, Ask Me to Dance, in October (14).
She joins Girls star Allison Williams who plays the titular character, as well as Christopher Walken who portrays Captain Hook, and Broadway veterans Christian Borle and Kelli O'Hara.

"He did this amazing impromptu stand-up routine to all the people eating their sandwiches on the common and people were coming out of buildings because they heard he was doing this. At the end of lunch there were about 300 people. He was a good man." Minnie Driver has a special memory of her late Good Will Hunting co-star Robin Williams from the set of the movie. Williams committed suicide in August (14).

Stars including Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Stevie Wonder headed to San Francisco, California on Saturday (27Sep14) to pay tribute to late actor Robin Williams following his death in August (14). The Good Will Hunting star committed suicide in his adopted home of San Francisco last month (Aug14) and was laid to rest at a private funeral a week later.
His daughter Zelda organised a memorial service at the Curran Theatre on Saturday so his life could be celebrated by his famous friends.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, hundreds of guests attended while others sent in music and video tributes. Billy Crystal, who gave a speech in Williams' honour at the Emmy Awards last month (Aug14), paid another emotional farewell to his friend while Goldberg, comedian Bobcat Goldthwait, Bonnie Hunt, Eric Idle and Williams' three children and wife Susan also addressed the audience.
Stevie Wonder helmed the musical section of the memorial with the Glide Ensemble and Change Band from the Glide Memorial Church, where Williams' funeral was held.
Following the service, the guests headed to the nearby Westin St. Francis Hotel for a reception.
Other attendees include the actor's Mork & Mindy co-star Pam Dawber, Bette Midler, Ben Stiller, George Lucas, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jeff Bridges, Minnie Driver, Josh Groban, Seth Green and Eddie Izzard.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Seth Rogen are among almost 200 stars who have signed a statement calling for peace in the Middle East. The Creative Community For Peace's document has attracted signatures from all over the entertainment industry amid calls to end violent clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian troops in Gaza.
In the statement, the stars urge politicians to find a resolution and end the fighting, while they also come out in support of Israel and criticise the Palestinian Hamas organisation.
The letter reads, "We, the undersigned, are saddened by the devastating loss of life endured by Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza. We are pained by the suffering on both sides of the conflict and hope for a solution that brings peace to the region... While we stand firm in our commitment to peace and justice, we must also stand firm against ideologies of hatred and genocide... We join together in support of the democratic values we all cherish and in the hope that the healing and transformative power of the arts can be used to build bridges of peace."
Other stars to have signed the statement include Kelsey Grammer, Minnie Driver, Mayim Bialik and Joel and Benji Madden.

Funnyman-turned-moviemaker Rob Reiner has opened up about his own struggle with depression following the death of his longtime friend Robin Williams. The This Is Spinal Tap director was told the news of Williams' death from an apparent suicide this week (beg11Aug14) by the funnyman's Good Will Hunting co-star Minnie Driver on the set of TV show About a Boy.
Williams had been struggling with depression prior to his passing, and was also dealing with a Parkinson's disease diagnosis, and the tragedy has now prompted Reiner to go public with his own mental health issues.
In an interview on Politicking With Larry King, Reiner says, "It (Williams' death) hit me in a very, very deep level (sic). I have depression. I've wrestled with it my whole life... I know how difficult a struggle that is for somebody, and how difficult it was for Robin, and it's so upsetting to hear somebody who fought as hard as he did all these years to try to manage it, had to succumb to it."
Reiner goes on to insist Williams' death is especially tragic because there are so many ways depression can now be controlled.
He adds, "You can manage it, and you can live with it."

Ben Affleck has honoured the memory of Robin Williams by crediting his tragic Good Will Hunting co-star with making his dreams come true. The Argo actor/director and his childhood friend Matt Damon co-wrote the script for the 1997 drama, in which they also starred.
The film won critical acclaim, landing nine Academy Award nominations and earning them the Best Original Screenplay Oscar, while Williams walked off with the Best Supporting Actor title.
Now Affleck has opened up about the profound affect the late comedian has had on his life following Williams' suicide on Monday (11Aug14).
In a touching post on his Facebook.com page, Affleck writes, "Heartbroken. Thanks chief - for your friendship and for what you gave the world. Robin had a ton of love in him. He personally did so much for so many people. He made Matt and my dreams come true.
"What do you owe a guy who does that? Everything. May you find peace my friend."
Damon has yet to comment on the tragedy, but their fellow Good Will Hunting castmate Minnie Driver was among the first celebrities to pay tribute via Twitter.com, posting: "My Heart's broken. Robin was a beautiful, kind soul. Can't bear that he's gone. So incredibly sorry for his family."

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Funnyman Steve Martin has led tributes to his pal Robin Williams, following the Mrs. Doubtfire star's death on Monday (11Aug14). Williams was found dead in his home in Marin County, California. He was 63. Reports suggest he committed suicide.
Martin took to Twitter.com on Monday afternoon, shortly after the sad news broke and wrote, "I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul."
David Steinberg, Williams' manager for 35 years, said in a statement: "Nobody made the world laugh like Robin Williams. My brother, my friend, my soul mate, I will miss you."
Cher added, "Oh Robin... He was Sweet LOVELY,Man. He ran high voltage,Mind Always Going, It was who he was.I Know Well..Many X's from High There is Only Low.So Sad", while Williams' Mrs. Doubtfire co-star Mara Wilson writes, "Very sad, very upset, very glad I did not have to hear about this though Twitter. Probably going to be taking some time off it for a while."
Genie. You're free. pic.twitter.com/FWQWPDPP42
— Evan Rachel Wood (@evanrachelwood) August 11, 2014
Other Twitter tributes have come from Johnny Depp, Michael J. Fox, Rihanna, Rita Wilson, Steve Carell, Jared Leto, Morgan Freeman, Kristin Chenoweth, Jon Cryer, John Cusack, Jenny McCarthy, Logan Lerman, Evan Rachel Wood, Sharon &amp; Jack Osbourne, Pink, Ellen DeGeneres, Rose McGowan, Shannen Doherty, Josh Groban, Eddie Izzard, Eric Idle, Ashley Tisdale, Marlee Matlin, Mandy Moore, John Krasinski, and Mia Farrow, who posted, "No! Robin Williams you were so loved."
Miley Cyrus never met Williams, but admits the news of his death hit her hard: "I can't take the Robin Williams news. I've never cried over someone I've never met but I can't stop."
And Lindsay Lohan adds, "Mr. Williams visited me the first day of filming The Parent Trap. I will never forget his kindness. What an enormous loss. My condolences."
His former co-stars Henry Winkler and Minnie Driver were also among the first celebrities to pay tribute to Williams. Happy Days star Winkler wrote, "To watch him create on the spot was a privilege to behold... Robin you are an angel now !!! REST IN PEACE", while his Good Will Hunting castmate Driver added, "My Heart's broken. Robin was a beautiful, kind soul. Can't bear that he's gone. So incredibly sorry for his family."
One of the late funnyman's final co-stars, Joel McHale, states, "RIP @robinwilliams. You were one of the very best that ever was. You were one of my heroes."
And Williams' Mork &amp; Mindy co-star Pam Dawber, who recently reteamed with Williams in U.S. TV comedy The Crazy Ones, has revealed she's "devastated" by the sad news of her longtime friend's death. The actor's The Crazy Ones co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar simply posted nine photos of herself with Williams on Twitter.com.
Other thoughtful words came from Glee stars Chord Overstreet and Lea Michele, who wrote, "So heartbreaking to hear the terribly sad news about the amazing Robin Williams, thank you for bringing so much laughter and joy to us all", and Kevin Spacey, who added, "Robin Williams made the world laugh &amp; think. I will remember &amp; honor that. A great man, artist and friend. I will miss him beyond measure."
He made us laugh. He made us cry. He ended up touching every element of the human spirit. #RIPRobinWilliams pic.twitter.com/kbEq7OwPOf
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 12, 2014
U.S. President Barack Obama also acknowledged the entertainer's impact to people all over the world in a statement which reads: "Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan and everything in between. "But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien - but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most - from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalised on our own streets. "The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin's family, his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks to Robin Williams."
Meanwhile, a tribute has been posted on a billboard outside Los Angeles' Laugh Factory, where Williams often performed. It reads: "Robin Williams. Rest in Peace. Make God laugh."

WENN/Lia Toby
We might well bemoan the loss of the Edgar Wright touch on Marvel's upcoming Ant-Man feature, but there is a silver lining: now, the innovative action-comedy director gets to work on his own original (and, likely, far more interesting) project. Deadline reports that Wright will next helm a film called Baby Driver, a mixture of "crime, action, music and sound." Even with all those nouns jumbled together, the project is still largely ambiguous. And with a title like Baby Driver, we can only begin to imagine what it might be about...
A baby that's also a driver?Wright directs a Look Who's Talking-style family comedy (rated R for language and violence, but still... for the family) about an infant who sets out on the road in his parents' Chevy Camaro.
Somebody who drives babies around? Like a chauffer for babies?Inspired by Vin Diesel's The Pacifier, Wright creates a film about a tough guy getaway driver who takes a new gig picking up the Wasserman kids from nursery school... and grows to love them.
Somebody who drives actual babies? Like the car is a baby, and the guy drives the baby-car?In the distant future, Jonathan Swift's "Modest Proposal" has been brought to life in a few interesting ways. This dark dystopian fantasy has people driving around vehicles made of discarded babies, in light of the recent metal shortage.
An early-years biopic about Good Will Hunting star Minnie Driver?Get it?
An animated film about a young screwdriver?Finally, Wright takes his visual style to Pixar, breathing life into a toolbox of adventures led by a plucky young screwdriver named Phillip.
So, maybe one of those. Or, you know, an actual idea. Either way, we're excited.
Follow @Michael Arbeiter | Follow @Hollywood_com

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Starred opposite David Duchovny in "Return to Me" playing a woman who has received a heart transplant

Played the mistress to a member of Parliament in the British miniseries "The Politician's Wife" (aired in the US on PBS)

Co-starred with John Cusack in "Grosse Pointe Blank"

Raised in Barbados

Released second album, Seastories; collaborated with Ryan Adams and Liz Phair on the album

Starred in the British comedy "High Heels and Lowlifes"

Acted in the drama "Owning Mahowny"

Made stage debut two weeks after graduating from drama school

Cast as Dahlia Malloy in the FX series, "The Riches"; earned Emmy (2007) and Golden Globe (2008) nominations for Best Actress in a Drama Series

Gained 25 pounds to star in feature film debut, "Circle of Friends"

Played an English medical student and Matt Damon's love interest in "Good Will Hunting"; received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress

Voiced the character of 'Winona Ryder' in "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut"

With sister Kate, formed the production company Two Drivers

Producing debut with "At Sachem Farm"; also co-starred

Cast in the big-screen version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "The Phantom of the Opera"

Co-starred in the BBC production, "Maigret and the Nightclub Dancer" (aired in the US on PBS)

Guest starred as herself on an episode of the british sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous"

Released debut album, Everything I've Got in My Pocket

Had a supporting role opposite Hilary Swank in "Conviction"

Featured as country-western lounge singer in "GoldenEye"

Co-starred with Uma Thurman in the indie comedy, "Motherhood"

Made guest appearance as 'Minnie Driver' on Showtime's "The Chris Isaak Show"; also sang

Cast in the film adaptation of the award-winning novel, "Barney's Version," as one of Barney's (Paul Giamatti) ex-wives

Moved to England with her mother and older sister after her parents' divorce

Had leading role of a single mother competing in a beauty pageant in "Beautiful"

Sent to boarding school at age 10

Had a recurring role on "Will & Grace" (NBC) as Stan's Mistress, Lorraine Finster and as the daughter of Karen's (Megan Mullally) lover, Lyle Finster (John Cleese)

Summary

After unleashing her talents on screens and in music in her native England during the early 1990s, actress and singer-songwriter Minnie Driver came to the United States and found international acclaim with her winning role in "Circle of Friends" (1995) and her Academy Award-nominated performance in the hit "Good Will Hunting" (1997). Also that year, she starred opposite John Cusack in the satirical comedy "Grosse Point Blank" (1997), which pointed her out as a rising young talent worthy of attention. On both films, Driver dated both stars - Cusack and Matt Damon - which helped raise her tabloid profile despite the fleeting nature of the relationships. She parlayed her popularity into a wide range of roles in both independent and studio films, like "At Sachem Farm" (1998), which marked her producing debut, the romantic drama "Return to Me" (2000), and the dark true-to-life drama "Owning Mahoney" (2003). Later, she shifted her career focus to music by releasing two albums <i>All I've Got in my Pocket</i> (2004) and <i>Seastories</i> (2007), both of which garnered critical acclaim. After being cast in "The Phantom of the Opera" (2004), Driver had her first starring role in television on "Riches" (FX, 2007-08), a comedic drama about a family of con artists that earned her several award nominations. She went on to supporting roles in "Conviction" (2010) and "Barney's Version" (2010), which solidified her status as a versatile, winsome talent.

Education

Minnie Drivers year of birth has been quoted in several soures as both 1970 and 1971

A jazz vocalist and guitarist, Driver performed at London clubs until acting assignments began taking more of her time.

"When a man puts on weight for a part, he's called a great actor. When a woman puts on weight for a part, she's called fat. Why should we be scared of the perception?" - Minnie Driver quoted in Entertainment Weekly, March 24, 1995

"I don't really have any deep, dark secrets. I mean, I do, but they're quite boring." - Driver in New York Newsday, April 9, 1995

"Minnie is my nickname. Amelia's my real name. I'd love to be an Amelia, but frankly then I think I should be a German woman with a horned hat." - Driver to Vanity Fair magazine, October 1996

"The only prerequisite I have for living is that I have a view and that I have a light; so I always have a place that has a deck where I can sit and read. I also play my guitar." - Driver quoted in Detour magazine, May 1997

"The thing is, people are terrified of taking a position. You take a position, you may have to defend yourself, especially if you're a woman. What are the great words women get labeled: INCENDIARY, LOUD, OBNOXIOUS, OPINIONATED? Instead of ARTICULATE, INFORMED, OBSERVANT. This is my life, it's not some big Hollywood theme ride." - Driver quoted in Buzz weekly, Jan. 16-22, 1998

"I got to a point where I really needed to examine my life," she says. "So I decided I was going to write something every day for a month, whether it was a poem or song or anything." - Driver on writing music to USAToday, Oct. 14, 2004